What is the Mandatory Liability Auto Insurance in Minnesota?
Reader’s Question:
In Minnesota, what is the maximum auto liability insurance?
Ed
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Typically, a state demands that a person carry certain minimum liability insurance. In Minnesota, each registered vehicle is required to maintain minimum auto insurance for each of the following coverage:
Liability insurance should cover $30,000 for injuring one person, $60,000 for injuring two or more persons, and $10,000 for injuring the driver of the other vehicle or for property damage.
Personal Injury Protection should cover $40,000 per person (50% for medical expenses, 50% for expenses that are not medical in nature such as payment for replacement services and lost wages).
Uninsured motorist coverage must be $25,000 for one person and $50,000 for two or more persons.
Underinsured motorist coverage must be $25,000 for one person and $50,000 for two or more persons.
The state’s Department of Commerce states that if the vehicle is not yet fully paid, the lien holder must require you to have a comprehensive and collision coverage. If you don’t carry this coverage, the lien holder may pursue a “forced insurance” wherein he will carry the coverage and just charge you for it. This may be too expensive for you as it may carry the comprehensive and collision coverage that is above the state’s minimum requirement.
Therefore, there really is no maximum amount for liability insurance. It is only up to you and the lien holder to determine what other coverage you need to keep on top of what the state is requiring.
Does Liability Insurance Cover Totaled Car?
Reader’s Question:
I lost control in the snow and hit the tree. The vehicle was totaled. I only have the minimum liability coverage in Buffalo, New York and I would like to know if my auto insurance will cover anything for the accident? I do not have the full coverage since I am paid off with the car.
George
Buffalo, NY
If you only have minimum liability required car insurance in Buffalo, New York then I do not think, this would cover damages to your own car.
If you were injured in the accident when your car collided with the tree you will be able to make a car insurance claim against your personal injury protection coverages. However, you do not have coverage for your car without having the extra physical damage coverages of comprehensive and collision.
In your case where you lost control of the car in the snow and hit the tree you need collision coverage in order to make a car insurance claim for the damages to your vehicle. This is the reason why it is essential to keep physical damage on your vehicle, this means state required liability coverages plus comprehensive and collision, even if you have paid off your financial company or paid for your vehicle in full when you bought it. Without collision and comprehensive if you are in an accident where you are at fault you will have to pay for fixing the car out of your own pocket or be out of a vehicle if the automobile is a total loss and cannot be fixed.
